US2942489A - Actuating means for a reciprocable member - Google Patents

Description

June 28, 1960 s rr 2,942,489

ACTUATING MEANS FOR A RECIPROCABLE MEMBER Filed Feb. 10, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I i I Z ,1 2 a 83 4 82 z 84 5g; iiwfl E 7 38 i q, ll'll'll'll-f 78 la; v 37 I00 41 ,43. Sm th ,muwm

flit-arrays ACIUATING MEANS FOR A RECIPROCABLE MEMBER Lloyd B. Smith, 824 N. 31st St., Birmingham, Ala. Filed Feb. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 714,369

8 Claims. (Cl. 74-3365) This invention relates to actuating means for a reciprocable member, such as mechanism for actuating the driving element of a self propelled reciprocable member.

An object of my invention is to provide mechanism for actuating a reciprocable member which shall include a prime mover and an energy accumulator between the prime mover and the reciprocable member, thus providing apparatus which is adapted for operation by a relatively small prime mover.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the character designated which shall embody clutch members, together with control means for selectively energizing and de-energizing the clutch members whereby the reciprocable member is actuated and then stopped when the reciprocable member is moved a predetermined distance in either direction.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatusof the character designated in which a fluid clutch unit is interposed between the prime mover andthe energy accumulator.

A further object of 'my invention is to provide apparatus of the character designated which shall embody a low speed actuated member which is operatively connected to the driving element of the reciprocable member whereby movement of the reciprocable member is stopped when the rotation of the driving element drops below a predetermined speed.

A still further object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the character designated which shall be simple of construction, economical of manufacture and one which shall be particularly adapted for use on refuse vehicles for compressing garbage and the like by a compressor platen 7 Apparatus embodying features of my invention is'illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which: I

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view through a refuse vehicle partly broken away and showing my improved mechanism associated therewith for reciprocating a compressor plate;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View taken generally along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view, partly broken away and in section, showing my apparatus for actuating the drivingelement of a self propelled reciprocable member;

Fig. 4 is a fragmental view taken generally along the line 4--4 of Fig. 3, showing a belt and pulley arrangement for imparting rotary motion to a shaft by one clutch unit which is reverse to the direction of rotatio imparted by the other clutch unit; and T Fig. '5 is a schematic wiring diagram showing an electrical circuit which may be employed with my improved apparatus. Fig. 6 illustrates a speed responsive switch suitable use with my device. I 7 g 7 Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of .my invention, I show a refuse body 10 adapted to be mounted on a vehicle 11. Preferably, the refuse for" States Patent provided adjacent the periphery of the compressor plate body 10 is in the form of an elongated cylindrical member 12 which is held in place on the framework of the vehicle 11 by suitable saddle members 13. The cylindrical side walls for the member 12 are formed of relatively thin sheet metal and the forward end thereof is closed by a front wall 14. The construction of the body 10 is substantially identical to that described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 676,103 filed August 5, 1957, now Patent No. 2,902,180, and entitled Refuse Vehicle. Hingedly connected to the rear end of the cylindrical member 12 by means of a hinge 16 is a closure member 17 which is held in closed position by suitable latch means 18. I

An access opening 19 is provided adjacent the forward end of the body 10 for receiving refuse, such as garbage or the like. The access opening 19 is closed by a suitable arcuate closure member 21 which fits slidably between a pair of arcuate angle brackets 22, as shown in Fig. 1, whereby the closure member 21 is adapted to slide to and from closed position.

Outwardly and downwardly opening slots 23 are provided adjacent the lower end of the closure member 17 for receiving rearwardly projecting brackets 24 which are secured to the inner surface of the cylindrical member 12. The brackets 24 project outwardly of the closure member 17 and are provided with suitable laterally opening slots therein for receiving the lower end of the latch member 18 whereby the closure member 17 is held in closed position by the latch 18.

Secured to the brackets 24 are sprocket chains 26 and i 27. The forward end of the sprocket chains 26 and 27 are secured to suitable laterally spaced brackets 28 mounted on the front wall14 of the refuse body 10, as

within the space defined between the compressor plate' and the closure member 17. The periphery of the compressor plate 33 corresponds generally to the internal contour of the cylindrical member 12 whereby there is a sliding'fit between the compressor plate and the internal surface of the cylindrical member. Suitable openings are 33 for passing the sprocket chains 26, 27 and 31.

The construction and operation of the apparatus -de-' scribed above is substantially the same as that described in my aforementioned co-pending application. The construction and operation of my improved mechanism for actuating the driving element of the compressor plate will now be described.

Mounted on the forward side of the compressor plate 33 are forwardly extending bearing brackets 34 for rotat-- ably supporting a transverse shaft 36. Mounted adjacent opposite ends of the shaft 36 are sprockets 37 and 38 for engaging the sprocket chains 26 and 27, respectively.

Mounted on the compressor plate 33 above the sprocket 37 are forwardly extending bearing brackets 39 for rotatably supporting a shaft 41 for a sprocket 42, as shown in Fig. 2, whereby the sprocket chain 26, secured at its forward end to the bracket 28 extends'rearwardly' and passes over the sprocket 42 and then downwardly beneath the sprocket 37 and in turn is connected to the bracket 1 .24. Mounted on the compressor plate 33 above the;

sprocket 38 are forwardly extending bearing brackets 43 portion of the front wall 14, as

for rotatably supporting a shaft 44 for a sprocket 46. The sprocket chain 27 secured at its forward end to a bracket 28 extends rearwardly over the sprocket 46 then downwardly beneath the sprocket 38 and in turn is connected to the bracket 24, as shown.

Mounted on the shaft 36 intermediate the sprockets 37 and 38 is a sprocket 47 and mounted on the compressor plate 33 above the sprocket 47 are forwardly extending brackets 48 for rotatably supporting transverse shafts 49 and 51, the shaft 49 being nearer the compressor plate 33. Mounted on the shafts 49 and 51 are sprockets 52 and 53, respectively. The sprocket chain 31 connected at its forward end to a. bracket 32 extends rearwardly over the sprocket 53 then downwardly under the sprocket 47 and thence upwardly over sprocket 49 to the bracket 29.

Mounted on the shaft 36 is a sprocket 54 which is operatively connected to a sprocket 56 of a speed reducer 57 by means of a chain 58. The speed reducer 57 is driven by a shaft 59 mounted in suitable bearings 61.

Mounted on the compressor plate 33, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is a prime mover 62, which may be in the form of an internal combustion engine. The output shaft of the prime mover 62 is connected through a suitable clutch, such as a fluid clutch 63, to a pulley 64. A belt 66 connects the pulley 64 to a pulley 67 which in turn is connected to an energy accumulator 68 which may be in the form of a flywheel. Preferably, the flywheel and the pulley 67 are formed integrally, as shown in Fig. 3. The pulley 67 and flywheel 68 are rotatably mounted on a stationary shaft 69 by suitable bearings 71.

Mounted at opposite sides of the flywheel 68 and adapted for rotation therewith are elements 72 and 73 of electric clutches 74 and 76, respectively. The elements 72 and 73 of the electric clutches each carry the magnet assembly, such as the field coil and the like. The other elements of the electric clutches 74 and 7.6 are indicated at 77 and 78 and are secured non-rotatably to pulley assemblies 79 and 81, respectively. Electric current is supplied to the elements 72 and 73 by suitable brush elements 82 and 83 which are carried by brush holders 84 and 86, respectively. As shown in Fig. 3, a suitable bearing material 87 is provided between the stationary shaft 69 and the pulley assemblies 79 and 81.

Preferably, the pulley assembly 79 is in the form of a double pulley arrangement and is employed to drive the speed reducer 57 in a direction to move the compressor plate 33 toward the rear of the body whereby the refuse is compressed. The pulley assembly 79 is connected to the shaft by suitable pulleys 88. The pulley assembly 81 which is connected to the electric clutch 76 is connected to the shaft 59 in such a manner that the shaft 59 rotates in a direction opposite the direction of rotation imparted by the electric clutch 74. This is accomplished by connecting the pulley 81 to the shaft 59 by a belt 89 which passes around three pulleys, 91, 92 and 93. See Fig. 4. The pulley 92 is mounted nonrotatably on the shaft 59 while the pulleys 91 and 93 are mounted on suitable stub shafts 94 and 96, respectively. That is, the belt 89 passes around the pulley 91 and then passes around the pulley 92 whereby the surface of the belt which engages the pulley 92 is opposite that which is engaged by the pulley 81. The belt 89 passes from the pulley 92 around the pulley 93, as shown. The electric clutch 74 thus serves to rotate the speed reducer 57 in a direction to move the compressor plate 33 toward packing position while the electric clutch 76 serves to rotate the speed reducer 57 in a direction to move the compressor plate 33 toward the front of the body 10.

Mounted on the shaft 59, which is the input shaft for the speed reducer 57, is a sprocket 97 which is connected to a driven sprocket 98 by a chain 99. The sprocket 98 is mounted on a shaft 100 of a control unit indicated generally at 101. The shaft 100 is threaded externally 4. as at 102 for receiving an internally threaded actuating member 103. The member 103 is held against rotation by a suitable guide member 104 whereby it moves axially of the shaft 100 upon rotation of the shaft. Mounted at one side of the internally threaded member 103 is a limit switch 106 which is in position to be actuated by the member 103 when the compressor plate 33 reaches a predetermined position relative to the rear closure member 17. A second limit switch 107 is provided at the opposite side of the internally threaded actuating member 103 in position to be actuated by the member 103 when the compressor plate 33 approaches a predetermined position relative to the forward end of the body 10. Also mounted adjacent the control shaft is a low speed switch 108 which is adapted to be actuated when the rotation of the shaft 100 approaches a predetermined low speed.

Such low speed switches are well known and may be of various types. One conventional type of low speed switch is the mechanical governor type shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. The contact points of the switch 108 are shown at and 131. The contact point 130 is carried by a pivoted member 132 which is actuated by one end of a movable member 132 having a spring abutment 133 at the other end thereof. Positioned between the spring abutment 133 and the housing of the switch 108 is a compression spring 134 which urges the movable member 132 in a direction to break the contact between contact points 130 and 131. A spring 134 urges the contact 130 away from contact 131, as shown. Mounted for movement in axial alignment with the movable member 132 is an actuating member 135 having outwardly projecting detents 136 which are in position to be engaged by the inner ends of movable governor members 137. The governor members 137 are pivotally mounted on pins 138 carried by support members 139. The governor members 137 carry the usual weights 140 which move outwardly upon rotation thereof above a predetermined speed. The support members 139 are carried by a rotary member 141 which is operatively connected to shaft 100 and telescopes within an axially extending opening 142 provided in the movable member 135 whereby the movable member 135 is adapted for free axial movement toward and away from the movable member 132. Pivotally connected to a bearing sleeve member which surrounds the rotary member 141 is one end of a lever arm 143 which in turn is pivotally connected intermediate its ends by a pin 144 to a stationary support 146. The lever arm 143 is employed to move the rotary member 141 axially into engagement with the member 135 to thus shift the member 132 in a direction to move the contact 130 toward the contact 131, whereby the switch 108 is closed until the governor members 137 rotate at a sufficient speed to hold the contact 130 in engagement with contact 131. That is, upon rotation of the governor unit above a predetermined speed, the inner ends of the governor members 137 engage the detents 136 and thus move the members 135, 132 and 132 in a direction to move contact point 130 into engagement with contact 131. The lever arm 143 is then released, whereby a suitable spring 147 urges the rotary member 141 in an axial direction away from the movable member 132.

As shown in Fig. 5, the limit switch 106 and the low speed switch 108 are connected in series and supply current through a lead 105 to one of the brushes 82 of the electric clutch 74 which drives the compressor plate 33 toward packing'position. The switch 106 is connected to a solenoid 109 by a lead 111. The other terminal of the solenoid 109 is connected to a push button control 112 by a lead 113. Also connected to the lead 113 is a lead 114 which in turn is connected to a contact point 116. The other terminal of the push button 112 is connected to a movable contact point 117 by a lead 118. The contact point 117 is urged away from the contact estates point 116 and into contact with a contact point 119 by a spring member 121. The contact point 119 is connected to limit switch 107 by a lead 122. The other side of the switch 107 is connected to one of the brushes 83 of the electric clutch 76 by a lead 123. Current is supplied to the circuit by leads 124 and 126, the lead 124 being connected to the lead 118 and the lead 126 being connected to the other brushes of the electric clutches 74 and 76.

Electric power may be supplied to the apparatus by a suitable electrical conduit 127 which is wound about a reel 128 mounted in suitable brackets 129 on the for.- ward wall 14 of the body 10, as shown in Fig. 1. Also, the push button 112 may be positioned in any desired location on the vehicle and the leads for the push button 112 are carried by the conduit 127.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my improved mechanism for actuating the driving element of a self propelled reciprocable member, such as the compressor plate of a refuse body, will be readily understood. With the compressor plate 33 at the forward end of the body 10, the refuse, such as garbage and the like, is introduced through the opening 19. In this position the switches 106 and 108 are closed, the switch 108 being closed by the lever am 143. The push button 112 is then actuated to complete the circuit to the electric clutch 74 through lead 113, solenoid 109, lead 111, switches 106 and 108, and lead 105. Upon energizing the solenoid 109, the contact point 117 is drawn into contact with the contact point 116 to provide a holding circuit to the solenoid 109. That is, the current then passes to the solenoid 109 through leads 118 and 114 rather than passing through the push button 112. Upon rotation of the governor members at a rate to hold the contact 130 in engagement with contact v131, the lever arm 143 is released.

.Upon energizing the electric clutch 74, the shaft 59 is drivenin a direction to cause the compressor plate 33 to move toward the rear of the body to compress the refuse. When the packing plate 33 reaches a predetermined position relative to the closure member 17, the limit switch 106 is opened, thus breaking the circuit to the electric clutch 74. Upon opening the switch 106, the spring member 121 urges the contact point 117 into contact with contact point 119 whereby the current is completed to the electric clutch 76 through lead 122, switch 107 and lead 123. The electric clutch 76 then rotates the shaft 59 in the reverse direction, due to the arrangement of the pulley 91, 92 and 93, whereby the compressor plate 33 is returned to the forward end of the body 10. Upon approaching the forward end of the body 10, the actuating member 103 engages and actuates the limit switch 107 thus breaking the circuit to the electric clutch 76, thereby resetting the system. Refuse is then introduced into the opening 19 and the cycle of operation is repeated.

When the load in the body 10 between the compressor plate 33 and the closure member 17 reaches the point that it prevents .the compressor plate from reaching the predetermined position relative to the closure member 17, the excess load causes the electric clutch 74 to slip whereby the shaft 100 rotates at a slower speed. Upon reaching the predetermined low speed, the low speed switch 108 is opened, thereby breaking the circuit to the electric clutch 74. The breaking of the circuit to the electric clutch 74 by the switch 108 would have the same effect as breaking the circuit by opening the switch 106. That is, the solenoid 109 would be de-energized whereby the spring 121 would move the contact point 117 into contact with the contact point 119 to complete the circuit to the electric clutch 76 which would return the compressor plate 33 to the forward end of the body 10.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have devised an improved mechanism for actuating the driving element of a self propelled reciprocable member.

By providing an energy accumulator between the prime mover and the electric clutch elements, the prime mover may be in the form of a relatively small internal combustion engine or the like. Also, byproviding the fluid clutch assembly between the prime mover and the energy accumulator, a lighter load is placed on the motor upon starting the same and an even distribution of the load is provided at all times. By providing a control assembly for stopping the travel of the reciprocable member when it reaches a predetermined distance in either, direction, or when the, load on the compressor plate exceeds the designed packing pressure of the body 10, the apparatus is not damaged during the operation thereof. Furthermore, by providing the electric clutch units in combination with the control mechanism, the apparatus is fool proof and is adapted for operation byunskilled labor and the control mechanism is greatly reduced in both,

size and cost.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In mechanism for actuating a reciprocable pressing member, a prime mover, an energy accumulator operatively connected to said prime mover, a first clutch interposed between said energy accumulator and said reciprocable pressing member, means operatively connecting said first clutch in driven relation to said energy accumulator and in driving relation to said reciprocable pressing member and adapted when energized to move said reciprocable pressing memberin one direction, a second clutch interposed between said energy accumulator and said reciprocable pressing member, means operatively connecteither direction and to stop said pressing memberwhen a predetermined pressure is exerted thereagainst.

2. In mechanism for actuating the driving element of a self propelled reciprocable pressing member, a prime mover carried by said reciprocable pressing member, an

energy accumulator operatively connected to said prime mover, a first clutch interposed betweensaid energy accumulator and said driving element, means operatively connecting said first clutch in ,driven relation to said energy accumulatorand in driving relation to said reciprocable pressingmember and, adapted when energized to drive said driving element in a direction to move said reciprocable pressing member in one direction, a second clutch interposed between said energy accumulator and said driving element, means operatively connecting said second clutch in driven relation to said energy accumulator;

and in driving relation to said reciprocable pressing member and adapted when energized to drive said driving element in a direction to move said reciprocable pressing member in a direction opposite that imparted by said first clutch, and control means operatively connected in driven relation to said clutches and operatively connected to the clutches for selectively energizing andde-energizing the clutches to actuate said driving element and then stop the reciprocable pressing member upon movement thereof a predetermined distance in either direction and to stop said pressing member when a predetermined pressure is exerted thereagainst.

3. In mechanism for actuating a reciprocable pressing member, a prime mover, an energy accumulator operatively connected to said prime mover, a first clutch interposed between said energy accumulator and said pressing member, means operatively connecting said first clutch in driven relation to said energy accumulator and in driving relation to said pressing member and adapted when energized to move said reciprocable pressing member in one direction, a second clutch interposed between said energy accumulator and said pressing member, means operatively connecting said second clutch in driven relation to said energy accumulator and in driving relation to said pressing member and adapted when energized to move. said pressing member in a direction opposite that imparted by said first clutch, control means operatively connected to the clutches for selectively energizing and de-energizing said clutches to reciprocate said pressing member and then stop said pressing member when it is moved a predetermined distance in either direction, a rotary member operatively connected in driven relation to said clutches, and a low speed clutch actuating member operatively connected to said rotary member and at least one of the clutches for de-energizing the clutch when the rotation of said rotary member drops below a predetermined speed.

4. In mechanism for actuating the driving element of a self propelled reciprocable pressing member as defined in claim 2 in which the control means comprises a threaded shaft operatively connected to said clutches and adapted to be driven in one direction when the first clutch is energized and to be driven in the opposite direction when the second clutch is energized, an internally threaded member mounted on said threaded shaft, means holding said internally threaded member against rotation whereby it moves axially of said shaft upon rotation of said shaft, clutch actuating members mounted at opposite sides of and in position to be actuated by said internally threaded member when the driving element moves the reciprocable member a predetermined distance in either direction.

5. In mechanism for actuating the driving element of a self propelled reciprocable pressing member as defined in claim 4 in which a low speed clutch actuating member is operatively connected to the threaded shaft whereby at least one of the clutches is de-energized when the rotation of the threaded shaft drops below a predetermined speed.

6. In mechanism for actuating the driving element of a self propelled reciprocable pressing member, a prime mover carried by said reciprocable member, a fly wheel operatively connected to said prime mover, a first clutch having one element thereof connected to one side of said fly wheel and the other element thereof operatively connected in driving relation to said driving element and adapted when energized to drive said driving element in a direction to move said reciprocable member in one direction, a second clutch having one element thereof connected to the other side of said fly wheel and the other element thereof operatively connected in driving relation to said driving element and adapted when energized todrive said driving element in a direction tomove said reciprocable member in a direction opposite that imparted by said first clutch, control means operatively connected in driven relation to said clutches and operatively connected to the clutches for selectively energizing and deenergizing said clutches whereby said driving element is actuated and then stopped when the reciprocable member has moved a predetermined distance in either direction and a low speed clutch actuating member operatively connected to said driving element whereby at least one of the clutches is de-energized when the rotation of said driving element drops below a predetermined speed.

7. In mechanism for actuating a reciprocable pressing member, a prime mover, a stationary shaft, a rotatable shaft, a fly wheel mounted for rotation on said stationary shaft, a first clutch mounted for rotation on said stationary shaft at one side of said fly wheel with one element thereof connected to said fly wheel and the other element thereof operatively connected to said rotatable shaft for driving the same in one direction, a second clutch mounted for rotation on said stationary shaft at the other side of said fly wheel from said first clutch with one element thereof connected to said fly wheel and the other element thereof operatively connected to said rotatable shaft for driving the same in a direction opposite that imparted by said first clutch, means operatively connected said rotatable shaft in driving relation to said reciprocable member, control means operatively connected in driven relation to said rotatable shaft and operatively connected to said clutches for selectively energizing and de-energizing the clutches whereby said reciprocable member is actuated and then stopped when said reciprocable member has moved a predetermined distance in either direction and a low speed clutch actuating member operatively connected to said rotatable shaft whereby at least one of the clutches is de-energized when the rotation thereof drops below a predetermined speed.

8. In mechanism for actuating a reciprocable pressing member as defined in claim 7 in which the control means comprises a threaded shaft, means operatively connecting said threaded shaft to the rotatable shaftwhereby the threaded shaft rotates in response to rotation of said rotatable shaft, an internally threaded member carried by said threaded shaft, means holding said internally threaded member against rotation whereby it moves axially of said threaded shaft upon rotation of said threaded shaft, limit switches mounted at opposite sides of and in position to be actuated by said internally threaded member, means connecting one of said limit switches to said first clutch whereby it is de-energized when the reciprocable member has moved a predetermined distance in one direction, means connecting the other of said limit switches to said second clutch whereby it is de-energized when the reciprocable member has moved a predetermined distance in the other direction and a low speed clutch actuating member operatively connected to said driving element whereby at least one of the clutches is de-energized when the rotation of said driving element drops below a predetermined speed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 752,589' Riddell Feb. 16, 1904 760,577 Sprong May 24, 1904 776,975 Wheaton Dec. 6, 1904 829,958 Fairman Sept. 4 1906 2,815,922 Thomas et a1. Dec. 10, 1957

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